Building Confidence, Culture, and Career Skills: Indigenous Workplace Learning Circles in Mînî Thnî

The Indigenous Workplace Learning Circles (IWLC) program is all about helping Indigenous youth build confidence, develop practical skills, and stay connected to their culture. It’s a space where learning feels hands-on and personal, where participants can explore their strengths, set goals, and discover how culture and community can guide them in both work and life.

Developed in partnership with communities across Alberta, IWLC takes an asset-based approach that celebrates what participants already bring to the table—their knowledge, language, and lived experience—and builds from there. The program has been adapted across communities and is often woven into longer employment readiness programs and initiatives, such as the culinary-focused Cooks with Stones and Me-yaw-sin Micowin. It has also been brought online, with self-paced eLearning courses and virtual facilitator sessions that blend digital literacy with cultural learning.

IWLC is more than job readiness; it’s about finding identity, building confidence, and strengthening community connections. Our most recent three-week IWLC program, held this summer in partnership with the Stoney Nakoda Job Resource Centre (SNJRC), brought these goals to life in Mînî Thnî.

A Three-Week Journey in Mînî Thnî

Over the course of three weeks, three groups of youth from Bearspaw, Goodstoney, and Chiniki came together to learn, create, and explore new opportunities. In total, 45 youth took part in the program, each week bringing new faces, stories, and skills to the circle as participants explored career paths, developed workplace and life skills, and reconnected with culture through hands-on learning and creativity.

Hands-on Learning and Cultural Connection

Culture and creativity were at the heart of every session. Youth made drums and ribbon skirts and proudly wore their handmade skirts during field trips later in the week. Each group also strengthened teamwork and communication skills through games, discussions, and reflections on leadership and identity.

Exploring Career Paths

Participants had a chance to discover careers in tourism, conservation, and the trades with support from Careers Next Gen, Alberta Fish and Wildlife, and Pursuit Banff Jasper Collection. Hands-on sessions included crafting leather bags and pottery, learning about environmental stewardship and wildlife careers, and exploring the Banff Gondola for a behind-the-scenes look at tourism and hospitality.

Building Skills and Confidence

Each week wrapped up with reflection and celebration. Youth completed résumés, practiced interview skills, and shared what they had learned about their strengths, goals, and teamwork.

“One activity that stood out was when we identified each student’s strongest and weakest reasoning styles,” shared Ashley, a summer student supporting the program. “I created a chart on flip paper with different ‘hats’ representing types of logical reasoning, and each student added their name beside the ones that felt most like them. Once everyone had contributed, we reviewed the chart and noticed patterns across the group. That sparked a really meaningful discussion about how we all think differently, and how diverse ways of reasoning can make a team stronger. It was one of those moments where you could really see the youth reflecting on how they work, communicate, and support one another.”

Gratitude and Partnership

A heartfelt thank-you to our partner, Stoney Nakoda Job Resource Centre, for co-delivering this program and supporting local youth in building essential workplace and life skills.

Thank you as well to Careers Next Gen, Alberta Fish and Wildlife, and Pursuit Banff Jasper Collection, and all the mentors, facilitators, and youth who brought energy, creativity, and leadership to each day.